Curt Schilling Announces He Has Cancer

Former Major League pitcher and current ESPN baseball analyst Curt Schilling announced on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

Schilling, 47, delivered the news through an official statement from ESPN:

I’ve always believed life is about embracing the gifts and rising up to meet the challenges. “We’ve been presented with another challenge, as I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer.”
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“My father left me with a saying that I’ve carried my entire life and tried to pass on to our kids: ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do.’ Over the years in Boston, the kids at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have shown us what that means. With my incredibly talented medical team I’m ready to try and win another big game. I’ve been so very blessed and I feel grateful for what God has allowed my family to have and experience, and I’ll embrace this fight just like the rest of them, with resolute faith and head on.”

Schilling was set to become a regular member of Sunday Night Baseball’s broadcast team for the upcoming season after receiving a multiyear extension from ESPN in december. It’s unknown what Schilling’s broadcasting plans are at this point, but ESPN did say they “look forward to welcoming him back to our baseball coverage whenever he’s ready.”

Schilling pitched in the major leagues for 20 seasons as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox. The six-time All-Star also won three World Series – in 2001 with the Diamondbacks (also earned co-MVP honors) and in 2004 and 2007 with the Red Sox.